At Oregon State University, students use a “virtual spectrometer” to measure the absorbance of different solutions in an online chemistry course that features a “virtual lab.” At the University of Central Florida, aspiring teachers practice their skills in a simulated middle school classroom that features digital avatars controlled by trainers who act like students. At Weber State University, students in an online marketing course issue time-stamped critiques of student presentations.

These are some of the ways technology is transforming teaching and learning in higher education. And the trend is likely to continue.

Consider the following statistics from a January report produced jointly by the Babson Survey Research Group and the College Board, titled Changing Course: Ten Years of Tracking Online Education in the United States. According to the report:

• More than 6.7 million students were taking at least one online course in the fall of 2011, 570,000 more than the prior year.

The Graduate School will again hold a SPECIAL WORKSHOP for OSU Graduate Faculty on the essentials of graduate student degree completion. The workshop is designed for Graduate Faculty new to advising graduate students as well as experienced Graduate Faculty. The workshop will present the basic facts as well as best practices for mentoring. Things that will be covered: degree requirements, time limits, required student-committee meetings, the student’s program of study, the role of Graduate Council Representatives, and activities that are most likely to lead to graduate student success.

If you are a new or continuing advisor of master’s or doctoral students at OSU, this is the workshop for you.

The workshop will be held on:

SPECIAL WORKSHOP FOR GRADUATE FACULTY ON ADVISING GRADUATE STUDENTS

Wednesday, April 17th, 2013

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Memorial Union Journey Room

The workshop will be presented by Martin Fisk, Associate Dean in the Graduate School.

The Research Office, Incentive Programs is requesting letters of intent for the NSF – Scalable Nanomanufacturing (SNM) program.

Deadline to the Research Office, Incentive Programs: Monday, April 15, 2013

NSF announces a third year of a program on collaborative research and education in the area of scalable nanomanufacturing, including the long-term societal implications of the large-scale implementation of nanomanufacturing innovations. This program is in response to and is a component of the National Nanotechnology Initiative Signature Initiative: Sustainable Nanomanufacturing – Creating the Industries of the Future. Although many nanofabrication techniques have demonstrated the ability to produce relatively small quantities of nanomaterials and devices for characterization and evaluation purposes, the emphasis of this program is on research to overcome the key impediments that prevent the low cost production of useful nanomaterials, devices and systems at industrially relevant scale. Therefore, competitive proposals will incorporate three elements in their research plans:

A persuasive argument that the nanomaterials, devices or systems to be produced have or are likely to have sufficient demand to justify eventual scale-up;

A clearly identified and arguably complete set of research issues that must be addressed to enable the low cost production of high quality products; and

A compelling research plan with clear objectives to overcome the identified research issues that is supported by preliminary results relevant to scale-up.

The mode of support is Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Teams (NIRT). Proposals submitted to this program must address at least one, and preferably more than one, of the following interconnected themes:

Novel processes and techniques for continuous and scalable nanomanufacturing;

Directed (e.g. physical/chemical/biological) self-assembly processes leading to heterogeneous nanostructures with the potential for high-rate production;

Fundamental scientific research in well-defined areas that are compellingly justified as critical impediments to scale-up;

Societal, environmental and educational implications of the large-scale production and use of nanomaterials, devices and systems, including the life-cycle analysis of such nanomateials, devices and systems.

We are pleased to announce that registration and abstract submission for the 24th meeting of the International Symposium on Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (ISPAC 2013), to be held in beautiful Corvallis, Oregon USA September 8-12, 2013, is now open:

Cayuse 424 and Cayuse SP Training: The Office of Sponsored Programs will offer training on the Cayuse 424 and Cayuse SP proposal system on March 22, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in Memorial Union (MU) 211. Any interested faculty and/or staff are welcome, but attendance is limited to 35. Send an e-mail to sponsored.programs@oregonstate.edu in order to reserve a space.

This intensive three-day grant proposal workshop is geared for: 1) those who wish to strengthen their grant writing skills and 2) beginners who wish to acquire and master the techniques of preparing, writing and winning proposals from various funding agencies. The center of attention will be on how to effectively write proposals in times of keen competition and limited resources. Much has happened in new regulations and in approaches to grant writing, be it for the researcher in the sciences and social sciences, education and non-profit professionals.
Participants Will Learn How to:
1. Navigate the world of grant procurement
2. Research and identify potential funding sources
3. Address the guidelines of federal and foundation applications
4. Focus foundation and corporate giving for the State of Oregon
5. Understand the new federal guidelines for writing winning grants
6. Know the review process and how to address key points for reviewers
7. Write winning grants that stand out against scores of competing submissions
8. Develop focused and realistic budgets
9. Demonstrate that one’s proposal merits excellence and innovation
10. Package professional grant submissions

Our ultimate goal is for each participant to walk away with a product specific to their interests that includes the grant design, abstract and budget.
Thus, the opportunity to influence the future of your work and ideas is within your reach. Understanding this reality, institutions are willing to minimally invest in the training of their staff to make this happen.

*Space is limited, and since this class fills-up quickly, it is on a first-come, first-serve basis.*Workshop Fee: $595.00 (including tuition, materials, certificate of completion, and continental breakfast)
Rebate of $50.00 per person is given for two or more registrants from the same organization.
To Enroll:
Please visit our website,
Or call us toll free at (866)-704-7268 or (571) 257-8864

REGISTER NOW!!

April 24 – 26, 2013
Portland, OR

“Professional Development Grant Writing”, Workshop
Portland State University

Portland State University is not endorsing or sponsoring the activities conducted by The Grant Training Center on the University. The relationship between Portland State University and The Grant Training Center is solely that of licensor and licensee.